EP3253343B1

EP3253343B1 - Absorbent article

Info

Publication number: EP3253343B1
Application number: EP15881331.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Miguel RIVAS; Kent Hermansson
Original assignee: Essity Hygiene and Health AB
Current assignee: Essity Hygiene and Health AB
Priority date: 2015-02-06
Filing date: 2015-02-06
Publication date: 2023-04-19
Anticipated expiration: 2035-02-06
Also published as: BR112017016749B1; AU2015381885A1; CN107205839B; JP2018506407A; EP3253343A4; US20180021190A1; BR112017016749A2; JP6557360B2; CN107205839A; US10420683B2; MX2017010149A; CO2017007830A2; AU2015381885B2; PL3253343T3; EP3253343A1; WO2016126180A1; RU2660047C1

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an improved absorbent article comprising a first and a second fastening tab each have a first surface comprising a first fastening means and a second surface comprising a second fastening means.

BACKGROUND

Absorbent articles, such as diapers for infants and adults, sanitary napkins, adult incontinence briefs and bed protectors, are well known within the art and used widely. The main purpose of such absorbent articles is normally to absorb, retain and isolate body wastes, i.e., urine, feces, or blood.
Some users are bedridden and laying down in bed for considerable long periods and only getting up from bed for short moments. Other users are in bed during nights and while resting and up out of bed during longer periods. Commonly for them is that when they are lying down in the bed there is a need for protecting the sheets from body liquids and hence a bed protector is used. However, when the user is going up from bed for eating or other activities there is also a need for protecting the cloths of the user from body wastes. Therefore the care taker/nursing personnel are putting on a diaper on the user, when the user is getting up from bed. In such a case it is necessary to ensure to have both a bed protector and a diaper stored and ready to hand. This requires a storage space for both of the products but also a good planning work. The activity of bringing a diaper and putting on a diaper on a user is also time-consuming for the care taker/nursing personnel.
US 4 578 072 A relates to a leak resistant disposable diaper or incontinent brief particularly suitable for adult wear. The garment is from about two to three times as long as it is wide so that the sides of the wearer are not covered. Each end of the garment has a relatively long flap formed by extensions of the envelope retaining the pad of absorbent material. The absorbent pad itself is trimmed generally in the form of an hourglass. However, the cutout side portions are located forward of the transverse centerline of the pad. Also, the forward edge of the cutouts does not expand as rapidly to full width as does the back edge to allow a better fit in the groin area. Elastic strips are located adjacent to the edges of the pad and run the full length of the product. Relatively long attachment straps are anchored to the back flap and form the means of holding the garment on the wearer. The adhesive on the free ends of the attachment straps is preferably one that is high in shear strength but low in peel strength in reference to the thermoplastic moisture impervious backsheet of the diaper. This allows the straps to be easily removed and reattached if desired, but provides a firm grip while the garment is being worn.
US 2014/142533 A1 discloses an absorbent article including a chassis and a laminate. The chassis has a topsheet side, a backsheet side, and first and second opposing longitudinal edges extending from a rear waist region to an opposing front waist region. The laminate includes a carrier having a first face and a second face and a fastening patch on a portion of the first face of the carrier. The laminate is wrapped around the first longitudinal edge of the chassis in the rear waist region so that the second face of the carrier contacts the topsheet side and the backsheet side of the chassis. The fastening patch includes fastening elements that are exposed on the topsheet side of the chassis.

SUMMARY

In view of the above-it is desired to provide an improved absorbent article that can acts as a diaper and/or bed protector.
This is achieved by an absorbent article according to appended claim 1. Embodiments are set forth in the appended dependent claims and in the following description and drawings.
Embodiments according to the invention relate to an absorbent article having a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, a front portion, a rear portion and a middle portion located between the rear portion and the front portion. The article having a first longitudinal side edge and a second longitudinal side edge extending in said longitudinal direction, and a first transverse side edge and a second transverse side edge extending in the transverse direction. The article comprising a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent core enclosed between the topsheet and the backsheet, and a first and a second fastening tab attached to said article. The first and second fastening tabs each have a first surface comprising a first fastening means and a second surface comprising a second fastening means.
The absorbent article according to the invention can both act as a diaper and a bed protector which reduces the need of two different kind of products for the user when the user is laying in the bed and moving up from the bed. By means of the first and second fastening tabs each having a second surface comprising a second fastening means, the bed protector can easily and securely being fastened to the bed or other supporting material such as a chair. Furthermore, by means of the first and second fastening tabs each having a first surface comprising a first fastening means, the absorbent article can advantageously and reliably being fastened around the waist of a user and act as a diaper.
The fastening tabs accordingly constitute a fastening system with a dual function since the fastening tabs can both be secured to the bed and to the products itself for being wrapped around the user's waist. Consequently, there is only need for one kind of package on the storage shelf for the combined diaper and bed protector, which saves storage, space and hence costs. Further, this enables the care taker/nursing personnel to save time since the care taker does not need to get another product and change on the user, but only secure the combined diaper and bed protector with the fastening tabs around the user's waist. It is also easy to make the users bed when the user is getting up from bed since the bed protector is naturally removed from bed.
According to an embodiment of the invention the article has a third and a fourth fastening tab attached to said article. The third and fourth fastening tabs each has a first surface comprising a first fastening means and a second surface comprising a second fastening means. As a result of having four fastening tabs instead of two fastening tabs attached to the absorbent article, the absorbent article can be fastened safely and securely to the bed without the risk of the absorbent article moving around when the user is laying on it and moving in bed. Furthermore, the flat and open structure of the absorbent article acting as a bed protector, when the user is laying on it on the bed, enhance the air flow around the waist and crotch portion of the user and thus reduces the risk of rashes and skin eruption. Moreover, due to the third and the fourth fastening tab each having a first surface comprising a first fastening means, the absorbent article can be secured safely around the user's waist and hence achieve a secure fit and enhance the fit of the absorbent article acting as a diaper.
According to a further embodiment of the invention at least one of said fastening means is an adhesive.
According to a further embodiment of the invention both of said first and second fastening means is an adhesive.
According to an embodiment of the invention said first fastening means is a mechanical fastening material and said second fastening means is an adhesive.
According to an embodiment of the invention at least one of said first and second fastening means is a mechanical fastening material.
According to an embodiment of the invention at least one of said first, second, third and fourth fastening tabs have a longitudinal direction Y1 extending in the transverse direction X of the article and a transverse direction X1 extending in the longitudinal direction of the article and a z-direction Z that is orthogonal to said longitudinal Y1 and transverse X1 directions. The fastening tab has a first longitudinal side edge and second longitudinal side edge extending in the longitudinal direction of the fastening tab, and a first transverse side edge and a second transverse side edge extending in the transverse direction of the fastening tab and an imaginary straight line L1 extending in the transverse direction of the fastening tab. Said fastening tab is folded along said imaginary line L1 forming a double-folded fastening tab. The double-folded fastening tab comprising a first layer positioned on top of a second layer in said z-direction. The first layer having a first surface intended to face towards a user when the absorbent article is in a first position and a second surface intended to face away from the user when the absorbent article is in a first position. The second layer having a first surface intended to face towards a user when the absorbent article is in a first position and a second surface intended to face away from the user when the absorbent article is in a first position.
A z-direction is by definition a direction that is orthogonal to both the longitudinal (Y) and transverse (X) directions. Accordingly, in this context it is in the direction of the thickness of the absorbent article.
Orthogonality is by definition the relation of two lines at right angles to one another, that is perpendicularity.
A first position of the absorbent article is by definition in this context when the absorbent article is used as a bed protector and hence being placed on a flat supported area. Accordingly, the absorbent article is not attached around the waist of a wearer when the absorbent article is in a first position.
By folding the fastening tab along an imaginary line L1 forming a double-folded fastening tab which comprises a first layer positioned on top of a second layer, the need of an release paper covering the first fastening means is reduced. If for instance, the second surface of the first layer comprises an adhesive, the first surface of the second layer of the fastening tabs may acts as a release paper, that is, covering and protect the second surface of the first layer.
According to the invention said second surface of the first layer comprises said first fastening means.
According to the invention at least one of said fastening tabs have a second imaginary line L2 extending in said transverse direction X1 of the fastening tabs. Said fastening tab is folded along said imaginary line L2. The fastening tab comprises a third layer positioned below said second layer in said z-direction and a fourth layer positioned below said third layer in the z-direction. The third layer having a first upper surface and a second lower surface defined in said z-direction. The fourth layer having a first upper surface and a second lower surface defined in said z-direction of the article. By the fastening tab being folded along a second imaginary line L2 so that the fastening tab comprises a third and a fourth layer, the stickiness of the adhesive surface of the second fastening means during storage and transport of the absorbent is reduced. Accordingly, the need of a release paper for covering and protecting the second fastening means is decreased.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings which show preferred embodiments of the invention:

Figure 1 shows schematically a perspective view of an absorbent article according to a comparative example outside the scope of the claims, when the absorbent article is in a fist position, and an enlarged cross-sectional view of a fastening tab attached to the absorbent article;
Figure 2a shows schematically a perspective view of a fastening tab according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2b shows schematically a perspective view of a double-folded fastening tab according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3 shows schematically a perspective view of an absorbent article according to an embodiment of the present invention and an enlarged cross-sectional view of a fastening tab arranged to the absorbent article, the fastening tab being in a package position;
Figures 4a-4c illustrates schematically the steps of the fastening tab going from a package position to be secured to a bed when the absorbent article acting as a bed protector;
Figure 4a illustrates schematically a cross-sectional view of a fastening tab according to an embodiment of the present invention being folded in a package position;
Figure 4b illustrates schematically a cross-sectional view of a fastening tab according to an embodiment of the present invention being unfolded from the package position to a first position;
Figure 4c illustrates schematically a cross-sectional view of a fastening tab according to an embodiment of the present invention being in a first position attached to a bed;
Figure 5 shows schematically a perspective view of a bed protector being in a first position secured to a bed according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figures 6a-6d illustrates schematically the steps of the fastening tab being in a first position and going to a second position fastened to itself around the waist of a user;
Figure 6a shows schematically a cross-sectional view of a fastening tab according to an embodiment of the present invention being in a first position;
Figure 6b shows schematically a cross-sectional view of a fastening tab according to an embodiment of the present invention being folded into a package position;
Figures 6c shows schematically a cross-sectional view of a fastening tab according to an embodiment of the present invention wherein the first layer of the fastening tab is unfolded;
Figures 6d shows schematically a cross-sectional view of a fastening tab according to an embodiment of the present invention, the first layer being unfolded and in a position ready for being attached to the backsheet of the absorbent article acting as a diaper;
Figure 7a illustrates schematically an absorbent article according to an embodiment of the present invention ready for being secured around a waist of a user;
Figure 7b illustrates schematically an absorbent article according to an embodiment of the present invention in a second position secured around the waist of a user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The absorbent article comprises a liquid permeable top sheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent core enclosed between the top sheet and the backsheet.
The topsheet and the backsheet of the absorbent article may extend together laterally outside of the absorbent core along the whole circumference of the absorbent core and be connected to each other in an edge joint around the periphery of the absorbent core. The backsheet may preferably cover part of the topsheet to form an edge barrier. The edge joint may be formed in any suitable manner as known in the art such as by means of adhesive, ultrasonic bonding, thermo-bonding, stitching, etc. Alternative covering arrangements such as wrapped-around covers are also conceivable within the scope of the invention. Furthermore, alternatively, a liquid acquisition layer may be positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet and may extend to the two longitudinal side edges of the absorbent article.
The topsheet may consist of any material which is suitable for the purpose, i.e. be soft and liquid pervious. Examples of commonly found topsheet materials are nonwoven materials, perforated plastic films, plastic or textile mesh, and fluid permeable foam layers. Laminates consisting of two or more topsheet materials are also commonly employed, as are topsheets consisting of different materials within different parts of the fluid permeable wearer-facing surface.
The backsheet is fluid impermeable. However, backsheet materials that are only fluid repellant may be used particularly, in instances where relatively small amounts of fluid are expected to be taken up. The backsheet is commonly constituted by a thin, flexible, fluid-impermeable plastic film, but fluid-impermeable nonwoven materials, fluid impermeable foams and fluid impermeable laminates are also contemplated within the scope of the invention. The backsheet may be breathable, implying that air and vapor may pass through the backsheet. Alternatively, the backsheet may not be breathable. Furthermore, the backsheet may have an outer, garment-facing surface of a textile material such as nonwoven.
The absorbent core may be made up of any suitable absorbent or fluid uptake material as known in the art, such as one or more layers of cellulose fluff pulp, foam, fiber waddings, etc. The absorbent core may contain fibers or particles of highly absorbent polymer material, commonly known as superabsorbents, which are materials having the ability to absorb and retain large quantities of fluid upon formation of a hydrogel. The superabsorbents may be mixed with cellulose fluff pulp and/or may be arranged in pockets or layers in the absorbent core. The fibers may be pulp fibers and the superabsorbent material may be polyacrylate-based particles.
The absorbent core may further incorporate components for improving the properties of the absorbent core. Some examples of such components are binder fibers, fluid-dispersing materials, wetness indicators, fluid acquisition materials, etc., as known in the art.
The absorbent article typically, in case of a combined bed protector and diaper, has an elongate, generally rectangular shape when fully extended in all directions. In this context, a generally rectangular shape is intended to encompass also that, for instance, the corners of the absorbent article may be rounded, or that the edges of the absorbent article may not be completely linear. Accordingly, any suitable shape may be used for the absorbent article, such as hourglass shape, trapezoidal shape, triangular shape an oval shape, etc. The shape of the article of the invention may be symmetrical about a transverse center line through the article, or may be asymmetrical with end portions having differing shapes and/or differing sizes.
The absorbent article may have two longitudinal side edges having equal length and extending generally in the same direction as a longitudinal center line through the absorbent article. Front and rear end edges typically extend transversely to the longitudinal center line at the ends of the absorbent article. The rear end edge is intended to be oriented rearwards during use of the absorbent article, and the front end edge is intended to be facing forwards towards the abdomen of the wearer.
The absorbent article may have a front end portion, a rear end portion and a middle portion located intermediate the end portions, the middle portion being a portion, which is intended to be placed against the crotch of a wearer when the article is used as a diaper and to constitute the main acquisition area for body fluid that reaches the absorbent article.
Further the absorbent article has fastening tabs with fastening means for fastening of the absorbent article to a supporting surface such as a bed or to fastening the absorbent article to itself around the waist of a user. When the absorbent article is secured around the waist of a user, the fastening means is accordingly secured to the article itself, such as the backsheet of the article and the article is achieved a second position. When the absorbent article is fastened as a bed protector to a supporting surface, such as a bed, the absorbent article is in a first position. The fastening tabs may be in the form of two longitudinally extending bands and may comprise fastening means of pressure sensitive adhesive or of a mechanical fastener. Examples of mechanical fasteners are hook-type fasteners, clips, press studs, etc. Combinations of different types of fasteners are also conceivable. When the mechanical fastening material is a hook surface structure, the hooks is engages with a loop surface structure of the article, for example of the backsheet of the article. Accordingly, the backsheet of the absorbent article may be of a loop material for releasably engage with the hook material of the fastening means.
The fastening tab may have an elongate, generally rectangular shape with a first and a second longitudinal side edge extending in the longitudinal direction of the fastening tab and a first and a second transverse side edge extending in the transverse direction of the fastening tab. The first and second longitudinal side edges of the fastening tab may be between 1 cm and 10 cm and the first and second transverse side edges may be between 1 cm and 5 cm. The longitudinal side edges and the transverse side edges of the fastening tab may have the same size and dimension and hence the fastening tab has an essentially quadratic shape.
The fastening tabs are arrange to both the backsheet and topsheet at the same time.
The fastening tabs may be inelastic or partly elastic. Partly elastic tabs means that certain parts of the tabs have elastic properties, while certain other parts of the tabs do not have elastic properties.
When the fastening means on the fastening tabs comprises an adhesive, any suitable adhesive pattern may be used such as full coating of the surface of the fastening tab, one or more longitudinal adhesive band, transverse bands, dots, circles, curves, stars, etc.
Examples of an adhesive tape that could be used as a fastening means is E4462 from supplier Avery Dennison, in Belgium. E4462 is a pre-combined pressure sensitive tape made of polypropylene.
The fastening tabs may be a one layer fastening tab comprising a first and a second surface. Further the fastening tabs may be folded around an imaginary line L1 extending in the transverse direction of the tab to form a double-folded fastening tab comprising a first layer and a second layer. The double-folded fastening tab may consist of one material in one piece, or may comprises two pieces of material joined together to form a single piece of material, or may consist of three or four different pieces of material joined together to form a single piece of material. The first layer of the double-folded fastening tab may comprise a first surface and a second surface. The first and second layer may be of the same size and dimension so as to overlap each other completely. Alternatively the first layer and the second layer of the fastening tabs may have different sizes and dimensions so as to partly overlap each other. The fastening tab may be folded upwards in the z-direction to form a double-folded fastening tab wherein the first and second layer is positioned on top of each other and joined together in a transverse side edge of each first and second layer. Alternatively, the fastening tab may be folded downwards in the z-direction to form a double-folded fastening tab wherein the first and second layer is positioned on top of each other and joined together in a transverse side edge of each first and second layer.
The fastening tab may be folded a second time along a second imaginary line L2 extending in the transverse direction of the tab, to form a fastening tab comprising a first, a second, a third and a fourth layer which is defined as a package position of the fastening tab. The fastening tab may be folded the second time around the longitudinal side edge of the absorbent article and downward in a z-direction and hereby sandwich the absorbent article, that is, the topsheet, backsheet and the absorbent core between the two uppermost layers of the fastening tab (the first and the second layer) and the two lowest layers of the fastening tab (the third and the fourth layer). The third and fourth layer may have each a first and a second surface.
The invention will now be described by means of example referring to the accompanying figures. In this example of the invention the absorbent article can act like a bed protector 1 and / or a diaper 1.
Figure 1 shows schematically a perspective view of a comparative example of an absorbent article 1 in its first position where it can be used as a bed protector and/or diaper. By diaper is meant an absorbent article which is used for baby care and/or for adult incontinence care. The wearer of the absorbent article is not included in the figure. Figure 1 is seen from the surface of the absorbent article 1 that is intended to be facing towards a user's body when the article is used as a bed protector and/or a diaper. The article 1 has a transverse direction X, a longitudinal direction Y and a z-direction. The z-direction is defined as the general direction of the thickness. The article 1 further has a front portion 2, a middle portion 3 and a rear portion 4 arranged in the article's longitudinal direction Y. When the article 1 is used as a diaper, that is, attached to itself around the waist of the user, the front portion 2 of the article 1 is intended to cover the pubic region of the user. The middle portion 3 of the article 1 is located adjacent to the front portion 2 in the longitudinal direction Y. When the article 1 is used as a diaper, the middle portion 3 lies between the legs of the user and covers the user's genital region. The rear portion 4 is located at the opposite end of the article 1 from the front portion 2 and is located adjacent to the middle portion 3 in the longitudinal direction Y. When the article 1 is used as a diaper, the rear portion 4 extends towards the user's rear. Furthermore the absorbent article 1 comprises a fluid permeable topsheet 5, disposed at the top surface of the absorbent article 1 which is intended to be facing a user of the absorbent article 1, a fluid impermeable backsheet 6 disposed at the lower back side of the absorbent article 1 that is intended to be facing the undergarment of the user or the bed surface of the bed, and an absorbent core 7, enclosed between the topsheet 5 and the backsheet 6. The absorbent article 1 further has a first longitudinal side edge 9 and a second longitudinal side edge 10 extending in the longitudinal direction Y. The article has a first transverse side edge 11 and a second transverse side edge 12 extending in the transverse direction X of the article 1. The absorbent article 1 further has four fastening tabs 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d for releasably fastening or securing of the absorbent article 1 to a bed or to itself around the waist of a user. The first fastening tab 8a is arranged to the first longitudinal side edge 9 in the front portion 2 of the article 1. In this context, the expression arranged to the longitudinal side edge, is meant that the fastening tab 8a-d may be extending over the longitudinal side edge so as to be attached to the surface (such as the backsheet 6 or the topsheet 5 or sandwich between the backsheet 6 and the topsheet 5) of the absorbent article 1. The second fastening tab 8b is arranged to the second longitudinal side edge 10 in the front portion 2. The third fastening tab 8c is arranged in the rear portion 4 of the article 1 to the first longitudinal side edge 9 and the fourth fastening tab 8d is arranged in the rear portion 4 to the second longitudinal side edge 10. Figure 1 further shows a fastening tab 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d in an enlarge cross-sectional view. The fastening tabs 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d are arranged at the topsheet 5 of the article 1 and each fastening tab 8a-d has a first surface 14a-d comprising a first fastening means 16a-d which may be an adhesive or a mechanical fastening material. The fastening tabs 8a-d also comprising a second surface 15a-d comprising a second fastening means 17a-d which may be an adhesive or a mechanical fastening material. The first surface 14a-d is in this embodiment intended to face the user when the article 1 is acting as a diaper 1 and a bed protector 1 and the second surface 15a-d is intended to face away from the user when the article 1 is acting as a diaper 1 and a bed protector 1. Before use, the fastening means 16a-d and 17a-d may be covered by a removable protective layer 13 (not shown in the drawings) of release-agent-treated paper, plastic film or the like, intended to protect the fastening means against being stuck to surfaces unintentionally or in any way distorted.
Figure 2a shows schematically a perspective view of a fastening tab 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d according to an embodiment of the invention. The fastening tab 8a-d has a longitudinal direction Y1, a transverse direction X1 and a z-direction that is orthogonal to the longitudinal and transverse direction. The fastening tab 8a-d has a first longitudinal side edge 20 and a second longitudinal side edge 21 extending in the longitudinal direction Y1 of the fastening tab 8a-d. The fastening tab 8a-d has a first transverse side edge 22 and a second transverse side edge 23 extending in the transverse direction X1 of the fastening tab 8a-d. An imaginary straight line L1 is extending in the transverse direction X1 of the fastening tab 8a-d. The fastening tab 8a-d may be folded around the imaginary line L1 for forming a double-folded fastening tab 8a-d as disclosed in figures 2b, 4b, 4c and 6a. The fastening tabs 8a-d has a first surface 14a-d and a second surface 15a-d. The first 14a-d and second 15a-d surfaces comprising fastening means 16a-d, 17a-d however they are not shown in figure 2a. The arrow in figure 2a indicates how the fastening tab 8a-d will be folded to form a double-folded fastening tab 8a-d, that is, around the X1 axis upwardly in the z-direction.
Figures 2b shows schematically a perspective view of a double-folded fastening tab 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d according to an embodiment of the invention. The fastening tab 8a-d has a longitudinal direction Y1, a transverse direction X1 and a z-direction that is orthogonal to the longitudinal and transverse direction. The fastening tab 8a-d is folded along the imaginary line L1 thus forming a double-folded fastening tab 8a-d comprising a first layer 24 and a second layer 25. The first layer 24 has a first surface 26 which is the upper surface in the z-direction, and a second surface 27 which is the lower surface in the z-direction (not shown in figure 2b) facing the first surface 28 (not shown in figure 2b) of the second layer 25. The second layer 25 has a first surface 28 (not shown in figure 2b) which is the upper surface in the z-direction and a second surface 29 which is the lower surface in the z-direction. Accordingly, the first surface 26 of the first layer 24 is a subset of the first surface 14a-d according to figure 2a and the second surface 29 of the second layer 25 is a subset of the first surface 14a-d according to figure 2a. A second imaginary line L2 extends in the transverse direction of the fastening tab 8a-d. The fastening tab 8a-d may be folded along the imaginary line L2 forming a fastening tab 8a-d being in a package position and comprising four layers in accordance with figures 3, 4a and 6b.
Figure 3 shows schematically a perspective view of an absorbent article 1 according to an embodiment of the invention and an enlarged cross-sectional view of a fastening tab 8a-d being in a package position folded around the longitudinal side edges 9, 10 of the absorbent article 1. The fastening tabs 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d are arranged at the topsheet 5 of the article 1 and comprising a first layer 24 positioned on top of a second layer 25 and a third layer 18 positioned below said second layer 25 and on top of a fourth layer 19. Hence the fastening tabs 8a-d are in the package position folded firstly a first time along the imaginary line L1 (shown in figure 2a-2b) creating a double-folded fastening tab 8a-d, and secondly a second time along the imaginary line L2 (shown in figure 2b) as to create a package position. In the package position according to this embodiment of the invention the fastening tabs 8a-d are folded along the imaginary lines twice and hence creating a first 24, a second 25, a third 18 and a fourth 19 layer that have the same size and dimension and therefore are totally overlapping each other. In this context the same size and dimension is meant that each layer 24, 25, 18, 19 have the same length of their respectively longitudinal 20, 21 and transverse 22, 23 side edges. However, the fastening tabs 8a-d may be folded along said imaginary lines L1 and L2 to create a first 24, a second 25, a third 18 and a fourth 19 layer not having the same size and dimension respectively, for example that is overlapping each other only partly. The fastening tabs 8a-d are folded a second time along said imaginary line L2 around the longitudinal side edges 9,10 of the article 1. By this way the third layer 18 and the fourth layer 19 of the fastening tabs 8a-d are positioned below the absorbent article 1 in the z-direction. The first layer 24 has a first surface 26 intended to face towards a user when the article 1 is in a first position and a second surface 27 intended to face away from the user when the article 1 is in a first position. A first fastening means 16a-d (shown in figure 6b) in arranged on the second surface 27 of the first layer 24. The second layer 25 has a first surface 28 which is the upper surface in the z-direction and a second surface 29 which is the lower surface in z-direction. The third layer 18 has a first upper surface 30 and a second lower surface 31 defined in the z-direction. The fourth layer 19 has a first upper surface 32 and a second lower surface 33, defined in said z-direction. A second fastening means 17 a-d is arranged on the first surface 30 of the third layer. (shown in figure 4b-c).
Figures 4a-4c illustrates schematically the steps of the fastening tabs 8a-d going from a package position as shown in figure 3 to be secured to a bed as a bed protector 1 and accordingly being in a first position.
Figure 4a shows schematically a cross-sectional view of a fastening tab 8a-d according to an embodiment of the present invention being folded into a package position in accordance with figure 3. When the fastening tab 8a-d is in the package position and the care taker/nursing personnel is going to unfold the fastening tab 8a-d over the longitudinal side edges 9,10 of the article 1, for secure the article 1 to a bed or other supporting material, the care taker/nursing personnel will as a first step pull the third 18 and fourth 19 layer of the fastening tab 8a-d down in the z-direction as the arrow is indicating in the figure, and by this way release the third 18 and fourth 19 layer from the article 1 to achieve a fastening tab 8a-d being in a first position in accordance with figure 4b.
Figure 4b shows schematically a cross-sectional view of a fastening tab 8a-d according to an embodiment of the present invention being unfolded from the package position to a first position. The third 18 and fourth 19 layer are unfolded around the longitudinal side edges 9,10 of the article 1 creating a double-folded fastening tab 8a-d comprising a first layer 24 and a second layer 25 positioned below said first layer 24. The first layer 24 has a first surface 26 intended to face towards a user in that first position and the second layer 25 has a second surface 29 intended to face away from the user when the absorbent article 1 is in that first position. A fastening means 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d is arranged on the second surface 29 of the second layer 25 and is intended to fasten the article 1 to the bed. The fastening means 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d may be an adhesive or a mechanical fastening material. When the fastening tabs 8a-d is in this first position, the first surface 30 of the third layer 18 is a subset of the second surface 29 of the second layer 25 and the second surface 33 of the fourth layer 19 is a subset of the first surface 26 of the first layer 24. When the fastening tab 8a-d is in the first position and the care taker/nursing personnel is going to secure the fastening tab 8a-d to a bed, the care taker/nursing personnel is pushing the fastening tab 8a-d so the fastening means 17a-d will attach to the surface of the bed and hence affix the article 1 to the bed in accordance with figure 4c.
Figure 4c shows schematically a cross-sectional view of a fastening tab 8a-d according to an embodiment of the present invention arranged to an article 1, the article 1 being in a first position attached to a bed. The fastening tabs 8a-d is releasably attached to the surface of a bed by the fastening means 17a-d.
Figure 5 shows schematically a perspective view of a bed protector 1 being in a first position attached to a bed according to an embodiment of the present invention and a user lying down on the bed. The fastening tabs 8a-d are releasably attached to the surface of the bed by the fastening means 17a-d.
Figures 6a-6d illustrates schematically the steps of the fastening tab 8a-d being in a first position and going to a second position that is a position for being attached to itself for secure the article 1 around the waist of a user.
Figure 6a shows schematically a cross-sectional view of a fastening tab 8a-d according to an embodiment of the present invention being in a first position in accordance with figure 4b. When the fastening tab 8a-d is secured to the bed and the care taker/nursing personnel is going to attach the article 1 to itself around a waist of the user, for acting as a diaper 1, the care taker/nursing personnel will as a first step pull the fastening tab 8a-d upwardly in the z-direction, and by this way release the fastening tab 8a-d from the bed. As a second step, the care taker/nursing personnel then will fold the fastening tab 8a-d down around the longitudinal side edge 9, 10 of the article 1 as indicated by the arrow in the figure, the fastening tab 4a-d achieving a package position in accordance with figure 6b.
Figure 6b shows schematically a cross-sectional view of a fastening tab 8a-d according to an embodiment of the present invention being folded into a package position in accordance with figures 3 and 4a. Hence the fastening tab 8a-d is folded along the longitudinal side edges 9,10 of the article and the first surface 30 of the third layer 18 having the fastening means 17a-d is protected by the backsheet surface again. In this way, the fastening means 17a-d is protected from sticking unintentionally to other surfaces such as the cloths of the wearer or other material. When the fastening tab 8a-d is in the package position and the care taker/nursing personnel is going to use the article 1 as a diaper and secure the article 1 around the waist of the wearer, she/he will unfold the first layer 24 of the fastening tab 8a-d as a first step in accordance with figure 6c.
Figures 6c shows schematically a cross-sectional view of a fastening tab 8a-d according to an embodiment of the present invention wherein the first layer 24 of the fastening tab 8a-d is unfolded. The care taker/nursing personnel is pulling the first layer 24 upwardly in the z-direction, as indicated by the arrow in the figure and hence release the first layer 24 from the second layer 25 of the fastening tab 8a-d. Accordingly, the fastening means 16a-d is uncovered from the first surface 28 of the second layer 25 and exposed and ready for engagement with the backsheet 6 of the article 1 in accordance with figure 6d.
Figures 6d shows schematically a cross-sectional view of a fastening tab 8a-d according to an embodiment of the present invention, the first layer 24 is unfolded and in a position ready for being attached to the backsheet 6 of the absorbent article 1 acting as a diaper 1. The fastening means 16a-d of the second surface 27 of the first layer 24 is attached to the backsheet 6 of the article 1. Hence, the article 1 is acting as a diaper 1 and is in the second position according to figure 7b.
Figure 7a illustrates schematically an absorbent article 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention ready for being secured around a waist of a user.
Figure 7b illustrates schematically an absorbent article 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention being in a second position secured around the waist of a user. The fastening means 16a-d of the fastening tabs 8a-d is attached to the backsheet 6 of the diaper 1.

Claims

Absorbent article (1) having a longitudinal direction (Y) and a transverse direction (X), a front portion (2), a rear portion (4) and a middle (3) portion located between the rear portion (4) and the front portion (2), the article (1) having a first longitudinal side edge (9) and a second longitudinal side edge (10) extending in said longitudinal direction (Y), and a first transverse side edge (11) and a second transverse side edge (12) extending in the transverse direction (X), the article (1) comprising a liquid permeable topsheet (5), a liquid impermeable backsheet (6), and an absorbent core (7) enclosed between the topsheet (5) and the backsheet (6), and at least a first and a second fastening tab (8a-d) attached to said article (1), wherein the first and second fastening tabs are, by means of a first fastening means (16a-d), provided for fastening the absorbent article as a diaper around the waist of a user, characterized in that the first and second fastening tabs are, by means of a second fastening means (17a-d), provided for fastening the absorbent article as a bed protector to a bed or other supporting material,
wherein, in a package position, the fastening tabs are folded around the longitudinal side edges of the absorbent article and each comprise a first (24), a second (25), a third (18), and a fourth (19) layer, the absorbent article being sandwiched between the first and second layers and the third and fourth layers, wherein the first fastening means (16a-d) is arranged on a surface (27) of the first layer (24) facing the second layer and the second fastening means (17a-d) is arranged on a surface (30) of the third layer (18) facing the backsheet,

wherein the fastening tabs are unfoldable from the package position to a first position for the use as bed protector in which the third layer with the second fastening means is released from the backsheet,

and wherein the fastening tabs are unfoldable from the package position to a second position for the use as diaper in which the first layer with the first fastening means is released from the second layer.
Absorbent article (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first fastening tab (8a) is arranged to the first longitudinal side edge (9) in the front portion (2) of the article (1) and wherein the second fastening tab (8b) is arranged to the second longitudinal side edge (10) in the front portion (2).
Absorbent article (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening tabs of the article (1) comprise a third and a fourth fastening tab (8c, 8d).
Absorbent article (1) according to claim 3, wherein the third fastening tab (8c) is arranged in the rear portion (4) of the article (1) to the first longitudinal side edge (9) and the fourth fastening tab (8d) is arranged in the rear portion (4) to the second longitudinal side edge (10).
Absorbent article (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the article (1) is provided for being secured around the waist of a user in the second position with the second fastening means (16a-d) of the fastening tabs (8a-d) attached to the backsheet (6) of the article (1).
Absorbent article (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of said first and second fastening means (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d) is an adhesive.
Absorbent article (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein both of said first and second fastening means (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d) is an adhesive.
Absorbent article (1) according to any one of the claims 1-5, wherein said first fastening means (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d) is a mechanical fastening material and said second fastening means (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d) is an adhesive.
Absorbent article (1) according to any one of the claims 1-5, wherein at least one of said first and second fastening means (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d) is a mechanical fastening material.
Absorbent article (1) according to any one of the claims 6-8, wherein at least one of said first and second fastening means (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d) is covered by a release paper (13).